The regularly scheduled meeting of the Millbury Planning Board was held on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 7:15 p.m., in the Municipal Office Building, 127 Elm Street, Millbury, MA. Chairman Borowski presided.
Present: Anna Lewandowski, William Borowski, Richard Gosselin, Rusty Valery, Brian Stowell
7:15 p.m. Fink Road Roadway Improvements
Steven Comolli gave the Board an update on his proposal to improve Fink Road and asked for guidance. Mr. Gosselin stated his concern with the drop inlets and suggested that he move them out and allow for future sidewalks and potential development. Mr. Borowski advised Mr. Comolli that the majority of the Board and Town Planner Connors supported this proposal.
7:30 p.m. Machonis Multi-Family Public Hearing
Clerk Valery read the public hearing notice. Mr. Comolli was present, gave an overview of the project and advised the Board that this duplex unit would be identical to the one that he built across the street.
Chairman Borowski opened the meeting to the public.
· Ms. White, 60 S. Main Street asked if the applicant was requesting any waivers, inquired as to the placement of the house, was concerned with the impact to the abutters, size of the duplex, the deck appeared to be only 10 feet from her property and asked the Board to keep the neighborhood a family neighborhood, as it presently is. She asked that a hedge row be added to the plan for a buffer.
· Ms. Desreuisseau asked about impact to wetlands, ledge, water runoff to her property, the impact to the stone wall. Mr. Comolli stated that there are no wetlands on the parcel, 22 feet of the stone wall would be disturbed and there would be no blasting.
Mr. Gosselin commented on the plan, asked where the datum was derived from, requested the addition of iron pins, recommended underground lines from the poles to the house, hay bales and silt fences requested to prevent water flow to abutting properties, and tree plantings to create a vegetative buffer for neighbors.
Motion to continue the public hearing to Monday, February 26, 2007 at 7:20 p.m. by Anna Lewandowski, seconded by Brian Stowell, motion carried unanimously.
8:00 p.m. Patriot Place Public Hearing, cont.
Russ Adams gave the Board an update on progress made since the last meeting. A retaining wall has been added, grades are depicted on the plan, a landscape plan with low lying shrubs in front of the detention pond and four foot arbor vitae trees to the south side has been added. He advised the Board that the abutter has asked that these trees be planted on his property.
Mr. Gosselin advised that the retaining wall that has been added should be reviewed.
The meeting was opened to the public.
· Larry Richards, 6 Lincoln Avenue voiced concerns with blasting and its potential impact to water flow, particularly since the impact might not be immediately noticed. Ms. Connors advised that properties within 500 feet would be tested, and the developer would be required to send certified mailings to those abutters when the blasting has been completed.
There was no further public input.
Clerk Valery read the following letters into the record:
· Letter dated February 12, 2007 from Michael Kennedy, Chairman, Commission on Disabilities, identifying concerns with walkways and accessible routes
· Memo dated February 12, 2007 from Town Manager Guida regarding streetlights
· Letter dated February 12, 2007 from Joseph Coggans, Chairman, Earth Removal Board, advising that the applicant will be required to file an application with that Board
· Letter dated February 12, 2007 from Police Chief Handfield who had no issues with this project
· E-mail from Inspector of Buildings DeSantis which advised that he had no further comments on the revised plan
Motion to close the public hearing by Rusty Valery, seconded by Richard Gosselin, motion carried on a 3-1-1 vote. Anna Lewandowski was opposed (earth removal has not been addressed), Brian Stowell abstained as he was not present at the previous public hearing.
Waiver:
1. Motion by Rusty Valery, seconded by Richard Gosselin to grant a partial waiver from Section 5..3.5.c – location of tree cover and trees over 12” in diameter and 4’ above ground level: once clearing for the right-of-way and drainage facilities has been performed, the developer and Town Planner shall view the site, assess large caliper trees within 20’ of the roadway and flag particular trees for preservation while keeping in mind driveway, utility and house locations. These trees will serve as street trees in lieu of planting all new street trees. Motion carried on a 3-0-2 vote. Anna Lewandowski and Brian Stowell
abstained.
Motion by Rusty Valery, seconded by Richard Gosselin, to approve the application of Peter Karassik, Eligius Homes Co., LLC, Definitive Plan , entitled “Patriot Place Estates”, dated June 28, 2006, revised through January 26, 2007, prepared by Karl Russell Adams, P.E., with conditions a through ff, as amended, motion carried on a 3-1-1 vote. Anna Lewandowski was opposed (she stated that the public hearing should have been kept open to receive conditions from the Earth Removal Board), Brian Stowell abstained as he was not present at the previous public hearings.
8:15 p.m. Watson Estates Public Hearing, cont.
Robert Murphy provided an update, adding that Cape Cod berms have been added to the plan, and street trees located within the right-of-way will be preserved.
Town Planner Connors reviewed her comments dated February 8, 2007.
Clerk Valery read the following letters into the record:
· Letter dated February 12, 2007 from DPW Director Joseph Chase advising that he had no additional comments
· Letter dated February 12, 2007 from Police Chief Handfield advising that he had no issues with the plan
· Letter dated February 12, 2007 from Michael Kennedy, Chairman, Commission on Disability which itemized deficiencies regarding walkways and accessible routes.
· E-mail from Building Inspector DeSantis advising that he has no further issues with the revised plan.
Motion to continue the public hearing to Monday, February 26, 2007 at 8:30 p.m., by Richard Gosselin, seconded by Anna Lewandowski, motion carried unanimously.
Other Business:
1. Autumn Gate Estates I: Dave Phillips, LRC Development was present and advised the Board that he has submitted a new design for the retaining wall and geo-grid locations (property adjacent to O’Brien). The original wall design would be too close to the abutting property and variances would be required.
A standard block wall would be used instead of the mosaic wall. Graves Engineering will be required to review the proposal. A fence will be added to the top of the wall. No change to topographical grades will be necessary.
At the request of the Town Planner, the Building Inspector is holding all building permits until this wall has been constructed. Mr. Phillips asked that lots be released for construction. The Board agreed to allow the inspector to issue building permits, but hold occupancy permits until the wall has been completed. This is expected to be done in a timely and efficient way.
Motion to approve the standard block wall according to the plan submitted on February 12, 2007, by Rusty Valery, seconded by Richard Gosselin, motion carried unanimously
2. Cronin Brook Heights - Curb Reveal and Structural Engineer’s Report regarding Gabion Wall: The report form the Structural Engineer has not be received. The Board will require Mr. McKie to provide an answer at its February 26, 2007 meeting as to why this has not yet been submitted. Town Planner Connors and Jeff Walsh, Graves Engineering have measured the curb reveal. Clerk Valery read letter from Graves Engineering regarding hydrology capacity study to determine water flow over curbing with an additional 1 ½ inch blacktop. Ms. Lewandowski asked if the Conservation Commission received the drainage report by February 1, 2007 as it had requested.
3. Stratford Village: An extension will be requested. As this is considered a major modification a public hearing will be required.
4. Associate Member: The Board will re-advertise for this position. A joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen has been scheduled for February 27, 2007 to appoint a candidate.
5. Canal Street Place: A letter has been received from the applicant, withdrawing this project without prejudice.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Rusty Valery, seconded by Brian Stowell, motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan M. Dean
ATTEST:
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